Application of telemedicine to assess mandibular cortical width on panoramic images of dental patients in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Objectives: Mandibular cortical width (MCW) reference standards for osteoporosis screening have not yet been established in Laos, where panoramic radiography has recently been introduced. The present study was designed to determine the average MCW in Laotian people using panoramic radiography via telemedicine. Methods: MCW was measured in 519 patients who underwent diagnostic panoramic radiography at a Laos university. Images were transferred to a Japanese university using a telemedicine system. MCW was measured with a computer-aided diagnostic system and was classified by gender, age, and thickness according to OSTEODENT reference standards. Results: The overall average MCW was 3.70–3.83 mm in men and 3.54 mm in females. The Mann–Whitney U test showed a statistically significant difference (P = 0. 04). MCW increased with age: 2.89 mm at age 0–19 years and 4.25 mm at >60 years. The rate by gender for ≤3 mm cortical thickness of MCW was 34.1 % in men and 48.6 % in females. The average MCW was 3.50 mm in the 20–44 year age group and 3.88 mm in the 45–70 year age group. The connection for teleconferencing and data transmission went smoothly. Conclusion: This study used panoramic radiography to determine average MCW in Laotian people for the first time. MCW was thicker in males than in females and increased with age. Use of the telemedicine system will contribute to further developments in oral and maxillofacial radiology in Laos.